Mechanisms to engage with teenagers and young people in Medway should undergo a wholesale review according to Gillingham and Rainham MP, Paul Clark.

Teenagers should have a greater say in local decision-making and be given greater opportunities to take part in community activities, he said.

Speaking publicly about his role as aide to Children’s Secretary, Ed Balls, Mr Clark said a National Youth Strategy was vital to building strong communities and stable families. But he said action from local services was also vital to securing involvement from a younger generation.

The Children’s Secretary is expected to publish a 10-year strategy setting out his department’s priorities shortly.

Research shows that over two thirds of children support the idea of extended school activities, 80 per cent wants better access to information services, and the same proportion would get involved with community volunteering and feel they would benefit from peer mentoring.

Mr Clark is calling on voluntary groups and local councils to commit to a new deal for teenagers.

He believes that it is possible for local organisations to make a difference by involving young people in all aspects of local decisions and services.

He said: “Across the constituency, I am working with Council officers to facilitate consultation with groups of young people, for example with plans to build a new skate park in Rainham and to allow a group of young people to maintain allotments in Gillingham.”

“All too often though, young people can feel that they are not being heard because delivering change often takes years. If young people were an intrinsic part of that process, they would better understand the reasons projects take time to come to fruition and be reassured by the number of local politicians, youth workers and volunteers who genuinely want to make things better.”

Mr Clark is backing the Make Space campaign by charity 4Children to transform the quality of services available to young people.

Mr Clark attended the campaign launch in the House of Commons yesterday.

Among the solutions to the lack of opportunities and activities for young people, Mr Clark claims, are simple but effective means of encouraging community involvement.

“A new system of Young Mayors backed up by the existing Medway Youth Parliament would help to engage young people in decisions and raise the profile of youth involvement in the decision-making process.

“Expansion of community centres like the Activity Loft in The Vineries which provides positive activities for a range of age groups, as well as support services, information and health advice should exist in each of our local areas.”

“And encouraging peer mentoring programmes in schools, such as the award winning programme at New Brompton College, is a value-for-money and effective way of providing support to those who need it, whilst also making role models of young people.”

Mr Clark believes such initiatives should be expanded across Medway.

According to the local MP, none of these steps require vast sums of money, but rely on the courage of local community groups and councils to take a risk in establishing them.

Mr Clark believes that local organisations should actively look to improve provision for young people and inspire youth participation in community projects.

He claims the Government has already helped deliver for young people through ensuring local authorities provide a range of positive activities for teenagers and by introducing the Youth Opportunities Fund and Youth Capital Fund which young people themselves control.

Medway has received over £280,000 from Government under this project giving young people more to do.

Mr Clark has pledged to encourage the council and voluntary services to make this vision a reality and to take the necessary steps to meet the needs of our young people.

“It isn’t young people’s lack of interest in communities that prevents their involvement, but the lack of opportunities. Such a powerful message surely warrants action from us all.”

ENDS